Portrait..Beatrice
When exactly nine years had passed since this gracious being appeared to me, as I have described, it happened that on the last day of this intervening period this marvel appeared before me again, dressed in purest white, walking between two other women of distinguished bearing, both older than herself. As they walked down the street she turned her eyes toward me where I stood in fear and trembling, and with her ineffable courtesy, which is now rewarded in eternal life, she greeted me; and such was the virtue of her greeting that I seemed to experience the height of bliss. It was exactly the ninth hour of day when she gave me her sweet greeting. As this was the first time she had ever spoken to me, I was filled with such joy that, my senses reeling, I had to withdraw from the sight of others. So I returned to the loneliness of my room and began to think about this gracious person. Dante (La Vita Nuova III)
Dante first met Beatrice when he was nine and she was a year younger…he was entranced with her, but they did not meet again until nine years later..he went home and wrote what is considered to be one of the worlds greatest romantic poems, “La Vita Nuova”... many painters have recorded their meeting on the bridge…however there is only one (presumed) portrait of her…I discovered it after I painted this and there is no resemblance..
Dante thought her angelic…I hope you think the same of my Beatrice...
Watercolour on Arches Not Paper
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Janis Zroback
Whenever and wherever she appeared, in the hope of receiving her miraculous salutation I felt I had not an enemy in the world. Indeed, I glowed with a flame of charity which moved me to forgive all who had ever injured me; and if at that moment someone had asked me a question, about anything, my only reply would have been: ‘Love’, with a countenance clothed with humility. La Vita Nuova
Susan Duffey
beautiful and arresting. I would think your version would have the same effect in the 21st century.
Janis Zroback replied
What a lovely comment Susan…thank you so much…I did not want to make her too period looking, but to be able to fit into either era…I actually did not know there was a presumed painting of her till I had completed this one..all I had ever seen was the meeting on the bridge…a good thing or I might have been influenced subconsciously..
FlowersEtc
Awesome
Janis Zroback replied
How nice of you Ann…thank you so much… :))
Jim Phillips
I’m relieved that we don’t have to compare the two as the same, because they are not, yours is much lovelier than the one shown is the sidebar. Love the way you matched her lipstick to her earrings. Very beautiful Janis.
Janis Zroback replied
Unfortunately the copy of the painting of Beatrice (supposedly) has now disappeared from this page, (don’t know why exactly) so I rewrote the text above…I’m glad you had a chance to see it before it went….if anyone is curious, they can google it…
I find I am really getting an affinity for painting beautiful women…
I keep staring at faces, and Michael is now pointing out eyes and lips to me everywhere we go, as possible candidates for future paintings…but I have an excellent memory for faces…always did…. so it’s not a problem…
How nice that you noticed her lips and earrings…you are an old (meaning a long time) married man for sure….they were going to be silver and I changed my mind after I started to paint them red…ha…
I have no plans to change the style of these portraits, meaning I will keep omitting expression lines and strong modelling is out…I want the eyes to tell it all…age, life, experiences et al…but you never know..if I do them in acrylic on canvas, they might be done in a different style…for now I am loving these watercolours…thanks so much Jim…I appreciate all your comments…
Leslie Gustafson
She is beautiful and wonderfully done! She reminds me of Penelope Cruz. The softness and the makeup are great!! Her eyes are so well done and it must be fun painting these!:-)
Janis Zroback replied
Oh my goodness you are really flattering me if you think she looks like Penelope Cruz…I never have hopes of getting anyone’s likeness down, and in fact was thinking of a friend of mine who sort of looks like this..well her lips anyway…it is a lot of fun…just posting another right now…thanks you so much Leslie…
kjgordon
I am sorry ….......I really don’t see her as angelic…...........without reading the description I see a matter of fact exotic actress…......her beauty is more important than her soul….......
that is just the way she comes accross…........as the saying goes “You can never tell a book by its cover…...”
She is lovely and you have fused the colors together quite well….......
Janis Zroback replied
You are apologizing again…people see what they want to see…I have learnt throughout the years that we can all look at the same thing and tell a different story about what we thought we saw…she is angelic to me because I created her and I know that she is…you may know someone who looks a bit like this and is not angelic, that’s why you see something else in her face…dark hair and eyes are supposed to mean exotic and dangerous…a fallacy…there are a lot of blond blue eyed devils…if you met me in person, you would say that I look quite exotic and I do, but actually I am quite angelic…ha…
kjgordon
an Exotic Island Wahini…........you are….........I do know quite a few blond blue eyed exotic wahinis as well….....
Janis Zroback replied
But exotic does not mean bad…it can mean angelic just as much..in fact more so..
catherine walker
she’s so gorgeous and looks a bit like someone I know..so well done janis!
Janis Zroback replied
Apparently she looks like a lot people viewers know…she is actually based on a friend of mine, but I imagine there is someone in the world who looks just like me and like you…we all have a double somewhere…thanks so much Catherine..
Linda Callaghan
I thought of Penelope Cruise (Tom Cruise’s x at first) similar dark, beautiful features…also stunning earrings that match her eyes perfectly works very well Janis.
Janis Zroback replied
You are the second person to think of her as resembling Penelope..I have to find a picture and have a look…it is actually based on a friend Carol, who is much older than Cruz, and who would be flattered to hear she looks like a celebrity…I did not see any resemblance till it was mentioned and if I stare at it long enough I think I can see that there is a likeness….maybe I have a new career painting celebrities…probably not…thank you so much Linda…
Alison Pearce
Gorgeous!!
Janis Zroback replied
Thank you so much Alison.. :))
GEORGE SANDERSON
Stunning beauty, Janis !!!
Janis Zroback replied
Thank you so much George.. :))
Karin Taylor
I luv this one Janis! From the thumbnail I thought it was a model photograph from a magazine, it’s so beautiful – instant fave. :)
Janis Zroback replied
How nice of you Karin!!..thank you so much…I am really pleased at the positive feedback on my portraits…I love painting them
John Dicandia
What a stunning portrait Janis. She looks very elegant and beautiful!
Janis Zroback replied
Thank you so much John…it’s very nice of you to say so…
Norval Arbogast
Gorgeous. This isn’t Beatrice, this Rafaela nine years latter, more worldly, more, experienced, just as beautiful [ the eyes, the little twist of hair ]. ;-D overactive imagination. This series is a watercolor ‘tour de force’.
Janis Zroback replied
You might be right…Rafaela grown up is going to be gorgeous.. :))
Thank you so much Norval..that’s a lovely thing to say…
Janis Zroback
Joanne Bradley
I am fascinated by Beatrice! Such a regal gaze, a beauty in a very classic style. She somehow reminds me of Audrey Hepburn! It must be the lovely white skin shown off with the dark hair and eyes. I have always been attracted to dark haired heroines in literature! :-)
Janis Zroback replied
I like that she reminds you of Audrey Hepburn…it seems that almost everyone finds that she reminds them of someone…I find that so intriguing…and yes I always find dark haired women more mysterious…maybe it’s because I’m one…:)))
Thanks so much Joanne….
RobynLee
Beautiful Work!She looks a lot like Penelope Cruz..
Janis Zroback replied
That’s what I’ve been told, but I based her on a friend of mine…thank you so much Robyn…
F.A. Moore
Beautiful skin and features. Yes, similar to Penelope Cruz, but different. The blues in the flesh tones lend such delicacy. Thanks for submitting this to Solo Exhibition.
Janis Zroback replied
Welcome Frannie…thank you so much for your wonderful comment…I am so pleased to have found your group…
Irina Tribushnaya 28 days ago
very beautiful portrait and the model!
Janis Zroback replied 28 days ago
Thank you so much Irina, but I actually had no model…she is from my imagination and based on a friend of mine…
Irina Tribushnaya 28 days ago
Wow, this is very impressive. Your portraits a wonderful Janis!
Janis Zroback replied 28 days ago
Thank you so much Irina….there are faces only and larger works as well…I’m so glad you like them…
eoconnor 28 days ago
Janis, I watched you as you painted these, long before I joined redbubble. While you were creating these I would look at your site to see if a new painting would be there to ponder over.They are all exquisite and deserve all the favorings and accolaids they and you recieve.I hope you plan to show these .at a gallery so the public can see them too.I am a true fan LIZ..I also love the words you create for your paintings ,the descriptions,and the poems and stories from others used to describe your works LIZ
Janis Zroback replied 28 days ago
Isn’t that interesting…you were a silent watcher…now we are cyber friends…isn’t life strange?
I’m really pleased you like my work and that the narratives resonate as well…I included them with my paintings right from the start…thank you so much Liz…